Boltless bracket hinge



1933- J. .1. MUNSON I 2,126,026

BOLTLES S BRACKET HINGE Filed Sept. 24, 1957 my V umml INVENTOR.

BY mm,

W7 MJVMM 1 ATToRNEYs Patented Aug. 9, 1938 iJNi'lTE rare orries 7Claims.

This invention relates to improvements in boltless bracket hinges,especially, although not solely, adapted for use in connection with thepivotal support of awning frames and the like. It is customary toprovide mounting hardware for awnings and the like which will permitmovements of the awning frames for raising and lowering, and which willalso permit removal of the awnings from the building at the end of aseason. For this purpose there are interposed between the support andthe inner ends of awning frame rods fixtures known as bracket hinges;

In the forms of bracket hinges in common use, each member consistsof'two parts; a bifurcated cared bracket which is permanently attachedto the building, and an eye stub which is carried by the end of theawning frame rod. The eye stub fits between the ears of the bracket andis. pivotal on a boltthreaded through said ears. In most instances whenan awning is to be removed or mounted, the workman is positioned at anelevation on a ladder and is working under difiiculties. With the priortype of bracket hinge described it is necessary, in order to make aconnection or disconnection. that a screw driver be applied to the bolt.Due to the position of the workman this is awkward and diflicult, andmany times because of rust, corrosion, or stripped threads it isextremely difficult, if not impossible, to remove the hinge or pivotbolt.

Recognizing the aforementioned objections to the former types of brackethinges, the present invention has for its object the provision of a 5boltless bracket hinge wherein connection and disconnection of the rodand relative to the bracket may be effected by a simple, quickmanipulation without the use of tools.

Another object of the invention is to provide a boltless bracket hingewhich eliminates the need of an eye stub, the same being objectionablebecause of the aperture there-through in which dirt, ice, and foreignmatter can accumulate to prevent proper operation of the hinge.

A further object of the invention is to provide a boltlcss bracket hingein which all portions of the bracket are integral, with no separateparts which require removal with the consequent 50 danger of loss.

A further object of the invention is to provide a boltless bracket hingewhich is easy of manipa ulation from any position, which will not beaffected by weather, and which provides for a 5. secure pivotalattachment, safe against acciill dental disconnection of thecomplementary members.

A further object of the invention is. to provide a boltless brackethinge which is of very simple construction, is easy to mount, connect,and 5 manipulate, is inexpensive to manufacture, is strong and durable,andis well adapted for the purposes described.

With the above and other objects in View, the invention consists of theimproved boltless l0 bracket hinge, and its parts and combinations asset forth in the claims, and all equivalents thereof.

In the accompanying drawing in which the same reference charactersindicate the same i parts in all of the views:

Fig. 1 is a side view of the improved boltless bracket hinge shownattached to a support and carrying a frame rod, portions being brokenaway and in section to show details of con- 20 struction;

Fig. 2 is a side view of the bracket in open position with thecomplementary member released and slightly removed therefrom, portionsof the latter being broken away and in section. 5

Fig. 3 is a top view of the device;

Fig. 4 is a front view of the bracket in closed position and inengagement with the rod and member, the yoke portion of the latter beingin transverse section; 30

Fig. 5 is a similar view only with the latch mechanism of the bracket inraised or open position; and

Fig. 6 is a side view, partly broken away and in section, of a modifiedform of bracket hinge. 3

Although the invention is shown and described herein as forming a hingemounting for an awning frame, it should be understood that it is not theintent to thereby limit the scope of the invention, since the novelfeatures are applicable generally to structures wherein a hinged orswivel connection between two separate elements is required.

Referring to thedrawing it will appear that the bracket hinge comprisesgenerally two complementary, separable members; a bracket 8 and a yokemember 9. The latter is illustrated as being fast on the inner endportion of a frame rod ill to which a portion of .an awning I I issecured. The member 9 has a U-shaped frame or yoke portion l2 with theouter ends of the same connected by a bar l3 having'a reducedintermediate portion M of circular cross-section with shoulders l5 thereadjacent.

The bracket 8 has a pair of spaced-apart sup- 55.

porting feet It to rest against a supporting surface, and attachment tothe surface is effected by means of screws l1 extended through openings18 in the feet, and threaded into the support IS. The body portion ofthe bracket is formed of a pair of laterally separated U-shaped bearingportions 20 which extend between the feet 16 and project forwardly oroutwardly of the plane thereof. A pivot pin 2| is secured between theinner intermediate portions of said bearing portions 20 and the innerend of a pivotal latch 22 is movably mounted on said pin, said latchextending in the space between the portions 20. The latch 22 is soweighted and mounted that it will remain in either the turned upposition of Fig. 2 or the turned down position of Fig. 1. To insureabsolute retention of the latch in the latter position there ispivotally secured to its upper portion a locking arm 23. When the latchis turned down the locking arm may be thrown to the position of Figs. 1,3, and 4, and the free end of the arm lodges against a shoulder 24adjacent the upper foot [6. The shape of the latch 22 is clearly shownin the drawing and it will be particularly noted that its inner edge isprovided with a substantially U-shaped recess 24. This recess, when thelatch is turned down cooperates with the portions 20 to form acompletely inclosed aperture for the reception of the intermediate barportion l4 of the yoke member 9.

In the use of the bracket hinge illustrated in Figs. 1 to 5 inclusive,it will be described as used in connection with an awning frame,although this particular association is merely illustrative. As beforementioned the yoke element 9 is carried fast on the end of a frame rodIt. The bracket element 8 is moiuited vertically against a surface of asupport. In the use described the device affords means for removably,pivotally, mounting the end of the rod l0 adjacent the support. When theelements of the device are to be connected, the latch 22 is raised, asin Fig. 2, with the locking arm 23 also extending upwardly in aninoperative position. This position of the latch opens entrance to theU-shaped' bearing portions 20. Then the yoke 9 is positioned so that itstransverse bar is horizontal and this portion of the yoke is engagedwith the members 20. Thereupon the latch is dropped so that it, and theportions of the bracket, completely surround the bar portion of theyoke. The portions 20 engage the enlarged portions of the transverse barand the bar portion [4 is within the portion 24 of the latch. Lateraldisplacement is prevented by abutment of the shoulders l5 with surfaceportions of the latch. To reieasably secure the latch in down-turnedsecuring position, the arm 23 is thrown to the position of Fig. 1.Obviously, the yoke member and the rod and other members carried therebymay be pivotally moved relative to the support. In so doing, the barportion of the yoke turns within the bearing portions 20 and the recessof the latch.

Disengagement of .the yoke and bracket is effected in the reversemanner. The latch 22 and arm 23 are turned upwardly and then the yoke isreleased by pulling it forwardly, as in Fig. 2. Obviously thismanipulation may be easily and quickly accomplished without the use oftools.

In Fig. 6 a slight modification of the invention is illustrated. In thisform of bracket hinge all of the elements are the same as thosedescribed in connection with the principal form except the latch 22which is of somewhat different shape, and the locking arm for the latchis dispensed with. As will be noted from Fig. 6 said latch 22 isprovided with a relatively heavy head portion and the contour of theinner U-recess 24 is such thata slight upward pull on the yoke will notcause it to engage the latch surface in a direction so as to causeundesired lifting of the latch. When the yoke member is to be released,the latch 22 is swung to the raised dotted line position shown.

From the foregoing description it will be seen that the inventionprovides a bracket hinge which eliminates the need for a bolt forconnecting the complementary elements. Sections of the device may becompletely separated or engaged very easily and quickly without the useof tools, and when the elements are connected they are securely heldagainst undesired, accidental, disengagement. Also the improved boltlessbracket hinge is of simple and novel construction, and is well adaptedfor the purposes set forth.

What is claimed as the invention is:

l. A hinge member for interposition between two relatively movableelements, comprising a bracket carried by one of the elements, and astub carried by the other of said elements, the bracket having a bearingrecess, and the stub having a transverse bar portion positionable withinsaid recess for turning movement, and means for closing said recess andcompletely confining the bar portion therewithin.

2. A hinge member for interposition between tworelatively movableelements, comprising a bracket carried by one of the elements, and astub carried by the other of said elements, the bracket having a bearingrecess, and the stub having a transverse bar portion positionable withinsaid recess for turning movement, and releasable latch means for closingsaid recess and completely confining the bar portion therewithin.

3. A hinge member for interposition between two relatively movableelements, comprising a bracket carried by one of the elements, and astub carried by the other of said elements, the bracket having a bearingrecess, and the stub having a transverse bar portion positionable withinsaid recess for turning movement, and gravity influenced means forclosing said recess and completely confining the bar portiontherewithin.

4. A hinge member for interposition between two relatively movableelements, comprising a bracket carried by one of the elements and havinga socket therein, and a bifurcated member carried by the other of saidelements and having a rod spanning the ends of the bifurcations, saidrod being positionable within said socket for turning movement therein,and curved latch means carried by the bracket for closing said socketand confining the rod therewithin.

5. A hinge member for interposition between two relatively movableelements, comprising a bracket carried by one, of .the elements andhaving a socket therein, and a bifurcated member carried by the other ofsaid elements and having a rod spanning the ends of the bifurcations,said rod being removably positionable within said socket for turningmovement therein, and curved, gravity influenced latch means pivotallycarried. by the bracket for closing said socket about the rod portion.

6. A hinge member for interposition between two relatively movableelements, comprising a bracket carried by one of the elements and havinga socket therein, and a bifurcated member carried by the other of saidelements and having a rod spanning the ends of the bifurcations, saidrod being removably positionable within said socket for turning movementtherein, latch means movably carried by the bracket for closing saidsocket about the rod portion, and a locking member for releasablyholding the latch in socket closing position.

7. A hinge member for interposition between two relatively movableelements, comprising a bracket carried by one of the elements and havinga socket therein, and. a bifurcated member carried by the other of saidelements and having a rod spanning the ends of the bifurcations, saidrod being removably positionable within said socket for turning movementtherein, latch means movably carried by the bracket for closing saidsocket about the rod portion, and a pivotal looking arm carried by thelatch and releasably engageable with a portion of the bracket to hold 10the latch in socket closing position,

' JOKUM J. MUNSON.

